Sound emitting flying saucer and top



Sept. 19, 1961 JI A. BANOCZI 3,000,135

SOUND EMITTING FLYING SAUCER AND TOP Filed Dec. 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l 29 Fzgis. R914,

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Sept. 19, 1961 J. A. BANOCZI 3,000,135

SOUND EMITTING FLYING SAUCER AND TOP Filed Dec. 4, 1958 g 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 59 fifim io I, /M \H 60a) 60a, 43 60 12 INVENTOR 9 I M w,

ATTORNEY5 United States Patent 3,000,135 SOUND 'EMI'ITING FLYING SAUCER AND TOP Joseph A. Banoczi, 82 West Ave., Darien, Conn. Filed Dec. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 778,092 2 Claims. (CI. 46-63) This invention relates to a toy, and has for an object to provide a novel and simplified construction which may be used either as a spinning top or rotated in opposite directions on a driver cord support to simulate a flying saucer, space station, satellite or the like, and also to provide such a device with a sound-emitting means which is operable by the rotating movements of the device causing flow of air over said means.

It is also an object to provide a device of this character with different types of means of operation, and may include various sound-producing means, and one which, although it may be formed of various materials, is preferably formed of a light weight plastic material and may be made of diiferent colors, with different decorations, and is also adapted for attractive and efiective types of advertising.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. It is, .however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction and arrangement shown, but may embody various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side View of one form of the device;

FIG. 2 is a vertical central section thereof;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view and partial section of a portion of the top member of this device;

FIG. 4 is a detail section of a part of the ratchet;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view and partial broken view of one form of sound-emitting means;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one form of another sound-emitting means;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of a pivot stem for the device, showing it also in the form of a Whistle;

FIG. 8 is a top end view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a somewhat modified construction;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section thereof;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sound-emitting means used on the device;

FIG. 12 is a perspective of a modified form of handle for the operating cord and is shown in dotted lines, FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a somewhat modified form of the sound device;

FIG. 14 is a similar view showing a further modification, and

FIG. 15 is a transverse section of a modified form of closure for the open end form of sound device.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 8 inclusive, the device comprises a body 1 including upper and lower members 2 and 3 secured together at their peripheral edges 4 by any suitable means, preferably by a recessed edge in one member in which the edge of the other member seats and is secured by cementing, as indicated at 5. The surfaces of the members may be substantially smooth, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, or they could have decorative configuration as illustrated by the concavo-convex circular ribs 6, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The two body members 2 and 3 are preferably substantially conical shaped, as indicated, with the bases of these shapes forming the peripheral edges which are secured together. The lower member is provided with a downwardly extending projection 7 provided with a spinning point 8 on which the Patented Sept. 19, 1961 toy may be supported by any smooth surface when the device is used as a spinning top.

A spring and ratchet type means for spinning the body is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For this purpose there extends upwardly from the top of the upper member 2 a spindle or pivot stem 9, preferably in the form of a hollow tube, secured at its lower end to the top of the upper member 2 of the body. As shown in FIG. 2, this body is provided with an upwardly extending central stud 10 over which the lower end of the tubular member 9 is telescoped, and this lower end may, for better seating purposes, be provided with a small outwardly extending peripheral flange 11. The stem 9 may be securely fastened either by a tight frictional fit, cementing, or by a transverse pin 12. This stem is surrounded by a coil spring 13, the lower end of which, indicated at 14, is releasably secured to the top of the body. A simple and effective means is to have the end turned downwardly, as indicated at 14 in FIG. 2, and extended loosely into one of a plurality of openings 15 provided in the top of the body.

Means is provided for winding this spring to provide power for rotating the body 1 when it is used as a top. This, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a circular handle 16 provided with an inner tubular portion 17 embracing the spring and to which the upper end 18 of the spring is connected, preferably by inserting it through an opening in the tubular portion 17. Also carried by this member is a vertically movable plunger 19 arranged with its lower end 20 adapted to project below the bottom of the member 16, and its downward movement is limited by an enlarged upper end 21 seating on a shoulder 22. It is urged to this position by a coil spring 23 engaging by its opposite ends on the top of the plunger 19 and the under side of a closure cap 24 closing the upper end of the member 16 and secured thereto by any suitable eans, preferably by cementing it to this member. The cap also embraces the pivot 9 as it is provided with a central opening 25 through which this stem extends a sufficient distance above the cap 24 to permit release of the ratchet, as will presently be described.

The plunger 19 forms part of this ratchet, and its lower projecting end 20 is adapted to seat in a plurality of tapered recesses 26 formed in the top wall of the upper member of the body. The bottom wall of this recess is inclined, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4, providing a shoulder 27 in one end against which the end 20 of the plunger may seat to prevent backward movement of the handle grip 16 under action of the spring while winding this spring.

This winding mechanism operates as follows: Turning of the hand grip member 16 clockwise will wind the coil spring 13, the projecting end 20 of the plunger 19 passing successively through the tapered recesses 26 and providing a distinct clicking sound as it passes from one to the other, and this will provide an indication as to the amount the spring is wound, the operator, of course, holding the body of the device stationary in one hand while the other hand is used to rotate the member 16. As previously indicated, backward movement of the grip 16 during the winding action is prevented by the shoulders 27 of the recesses 26.

After the spring is wound the device may be rotated as a top by either placing the spinning point 8 on a smooth surface or holding it a short distance above this surface and pressing downwardly on the top of the tubular stem 9. This will either shift the body downwardly or the grip member 16 upwardly to release the projecting end of the plunger from the recess 26 and permit the body to be rotated by the action of the spring through the connection of its lower end 14 to the body, and also after the body is rotating and the spring unwound it will remove this end 14 from its opening in the body and permit removal of the hand grip from the stem 9, after which the body will continue to spin on the spinning point 8.

Sound-emitting means may be provided on the body such, for example, as the members 28, which may be hollow, light weight members provided with side openings 29 and preferably secured to the lower side of the lower body member 3, or if preferred they could be secured to the upper member 2'. These members are secured by any suitable means, such, for example, as cementing to the body, or they could be molded integral with the body as shown in FIG. 2, and they are preferably two in number,

although the number could be varied if desired. They emit a whistling sound by alternate rotating movement of the body causing transverse flow of the air over the openings 29. If made as separate members secured to the body they could be provided with circular lugs 2822', as shown in FIG. 13, or rectangular lugs 28b as shown in FIG. 14, inserted in similarly spaced and similarly shaped openings in the body, and cemented to the body, or they could be a tight friction fit. The member 28 may be of any suitable design, shape, size and color. The lower open end may be recessed and closed by the plain disc 280 as shown in FIG. 2, or the disc 28d stepped at 28e as shown in FIG. 15. In both this form and the form shown at 60 in FIGS. 9 and the slots 29 and 61 must be placed at the proper predetermined angular position to cause sound as air rushes over these slots in alternate rotation or turning movements of the body.

Also the tubular pivot stem 9 is preferably formed as a whistle. For this purpose it is a hollow tubular member provided with a lateral inclined notch 30 which acts as a whistle notch in the well known manner by the operator' blowing air through a longitudinal passage 31 from the upper end thereof. This end is partly closed by a block 32 secured in the end of the tube providing the passage 31 at one side thereof in alignment with the notch 30, causing the air to impinge on the lower edge of this notch to provide the whistling sound. This member 32 may be a separate member secured in place by a tight frictional fit or cementing, or it could be molded in one piece with the tube 9.

Means is also provided whereby this body may be rotated independently of the spinning point 8, or that is, while suspended in the air to simulate a sound-emitting flying saucer, space station, satellite, or the like. For this purpose the projection 7 at the under side of the lower member is provided with transverse openings 33 and the pivot stem 9 is provided with a transverse opening 34 adjacent its upper end. These openings are adapted for passage of the loops 35 of the driving cords 36, these cords thus projecting axially from the upper and lower sides of the body and may be provided with hand grips 37 of any suitable type. This is preferably a cylindrical member provided with an inwardly tapered slot 37:: leading from one side to a larger cross hole 37b. The slot is of a size and so tapered as to require the cord must be forced through it to opening 37b, but the opening 37b is of a size to allow free movement of the cord. A modified form of this grip is shown at 370 in FIG. 12. This has the same cross opening 371), but the uniform entrance slot 37d extends longitudinally from one end of the grip andis flared at its entrance as shown at 37a to facilitate insertion of the cord. Either form of grip can be used with either form of device illustrated and both require that force be applied to the cord when passing it through the uniform entrance slot. Either grip may be fabricated of any suitable material, such for example, as a suitable plastic, and of any suitable size, shape and color. These cords operate by alternate tension in opposite directions and relaxation, causing the body to spin and wind the cords with a twisting action, as shown in FIG. 1. This alternate longitudinal tension and relaxation causes the body member to turn or rotate alternately in opposite directions without any other support, thus simulating the appearance of a flying saucer, space station, satellite, or

the like, and these movements, by causing the air to pass over the openings" 29' the sound-emitting members 28, cause the device to emit a whistle or other sound by this spinning movement. Thus this device may be readily converted from one type of device to another, that is, from a top spinr'iingon a supporting surface or a device spinning in opposite directions and supported in the air.

FIGS. 3 and- 7' disclose a modified construction for mounting the whistle stem' 9 on the top of the body 1. in this case, instead of having a central stud 10 extending upwardly from the top of the body, the body is'provided with an opening 38, and a plug or stem 39 is telescoped and secured in the lower end of the tube 9 to project therefrom as shown in FIG. 7, to be seated in the opening 38. The plug 39 of the stem 9 may be secured into the opening 38 of the body 2 preferably by cementing, or by tight frictional fit. stem 9 as illustrated in FIG. 7 is the same as the stem 9 shown in FIG. 2 and functions in the same manner. In FIG. 2 if the pin 12 is omitted and the tube 9 held either by being cemented, or a tight frictional fit, the lower optional openings 12 or 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 could be used for the driving cord 86. This would place the two driving cords 36 closer together resulting in more rapid operation of the device as a flying saucer. The spring winding device 16 must be removed from the stem 9 when the optional opening 12 or 40 is used in connection with the driver 36 in the lower portion of the stem 9. The same is true when the stem whistle is used for making sound by the operator blowing his breath through it. Also, the driver cords 36 and 62 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9 should come in attractive colors for an eye-appeal.

A modified form of the device is shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. In this case the body 41 also comprises upper and lower substantially conical members 42 and 43, the lower member being provided with a projection 44 on its under side having a spinning point 45. The members 42 and 43 are secured together at the peripheral edges of their bases, as indicated at 46, the same as in the form of the device of FIGS. I and 2. The pivotal point 45 may be formed on the lower member 43, or it could be in a separate member 47 in the form of a metal pin secured in the extension 44 by swaging over, as indicated at 48, or cemented as indicated at 49. This extension is provided with a transverse opening 44a for the loop 35 of the drive cord corresponding with the openings 33 in the first form. Projecting upwardly from the center of member 42 is an extension 50 forming the body of a spool, and this with the body 41 is rotatable on a pivot pin 51. The lower flange of this spool is formed by the top of the member 42 and the upper flange by member 52 secured on the shouldered'reduced end 53 of the member 50, either by a close frictional fit or by cementing, or if preferred the member 52 could be an integral part of member 50.- S'ecured to the upper end of the pivot pin 51 is a hand grip 54 secured to the pivot 51 by any suitable means, such, for example, as telescoping it over the upper projecting end of this member and securing it by the transverse pin 55. This member is also provided with a transverse opening 56 adapted to receive the loop 35 of the driver cord 36. The spool 50 and the pivot pin 51 may also be provided with similar openings 57 and 58 for the passage of such a loop when these two openings are in alignment. Similarly the flanged member 52 may be provided with openings 59 for the passage of such loop.

The body of the member of FIGS. 9 and 10 may also be provided with sound-emitting means corresponding to that 28 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, this comprises a hollow cupped member 60 provided with a slot 61 over which the airflows on rotating movement of the body 1 to provide the emitted sound. These elements may be mounted on either the lower or upper member 43 or 42, but preferably on the lower member as shown, by cementing them to this member. They may have any of the features or modifications pointed out above in connection Otherwise the upper portion of the with the corresponding element 28 of the form of FIGS. 1 and 2. Either this or the form of FIGS. 1 and 2 could be secured to the body by telescoping over a boss 60a molded on the body and held either by friction fit or cement.

This form of the device may be used as a top by winding a flexible cord 62 on the spool 50, gripping the member 54 in one hand and then pulling steadily outwardly on the member 62, which may be done while the pivot point 45 is supported on a smooth surface or held a short distance above it, and then after the spinning or rotating movement has been applied to the body the hold on the grip 54 may be released to permit it to continue the spin on the supporting surface. If it is preferred to rotate the device while suspended in the air, to simulate a flying saucer, space ship or satellite, the loops 35 of drive cords 36 may be passed through the regular opening 56 or through the optional openings 57, 58 and 59, and then the device operated by turning movements in opposite directions by alternately stressing these cords in opposite directions and relaxing them as described in connection with the device of FIGS. 1 and 2, the movement of the device causing the sound to be emitted from the members 60 as their movement causes air to flow over the slots 61.

The device may be made of any suitable materials, such for example, as light metal, but preferably it is molded from a light weight plastic material. It may be of various colors, or decorated as desired, or the body members could be transparent, with decorations or advertising matter mounted on the inner surfaces. It will be seen that it is a very simple construction but a very effective one for securing a rotating device, as described, which can be readily converted from a top spinning on a surface to a rotating device suspended in the air.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim:

1. A toy comprising a body including upper and lower substantially conical hollow molded plastic members secured together at their peripheral edges, the lower member being tapered downwardly on its under side to a central spinning point, downwardly extending hollow tubular members on the under side of the lower member adjacent its outer periphery provided with side openings providing sound emitting means by flow of over these openings, a central upward extension on the upper side of the upper member, and said upward extension on the upper member and downwardly tapered portion of the lower member provided with transverse holes through which loops of driver cords may be passed for imparting rotating motion to the body.

2. A toy comprising a body including upper and lower substantially conical hollow molded plastic members secured together at their peripheral edges, the lower member being tapered downwardly on its under side to a central spinning point, a central upwardly extending pivot stern on the upper side of the upper member surrounded by a substantially flat surface on the upper member provided with openings and recesses provided with downwardly inclined bottom walls leading to upright shoulders, means for rotating the body including a coiled spring embracing said stem and provided with a downwardly extending lower end seated in an opening in said surface to releasably connect said spring to the body, a handle embracing and connected to the upper end of the spring *and rotatable on the stem to Wind the spring, a spring-pressed plunger carried by the handle provided with a lower free end to enter said recesses and releasably engage a shoulder thereof to control rotation of the body by the spring, and downwardly extending hollow tubular members on the under side of the lower member adjacent its outer periphery provided with side openings forming sound-emitting means by flow of air over these openings on rotation of the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 643,311 Verniaud q Feb. 13, 1900 847,933 Gibbs Mar. 19, 1907 1,440,053 Brett Dec. 26, 1922 2,282,314 Houlihan May 12. 1942 

